Dairy equipment



May 21, 19 E. SHURTS DAIRY EQUIPMENTv Filed June 29, 1937 2 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR.

BY 772 ,WW 7 ATTORNEY.

Patented May 21, 1940 UNITED STATES PATssi'r oFFlcE DAIRY EQUIPMENT Englebert Shurts, Waukesha, Wis, assignor ta Strauss Electric Appliance Company, Waiz kesha, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Application June 29, 1937, Serial No. 150,986

11 Claims.

My present invention relates in general to improvements in the art of heating and sterilizing, and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of equipment which is especially adapted to heat liquids such as water and to sterilize or otherwise condition containers such as' pails and milk cans in the dairy industry.

Generally defined, an object of my present invention is to provide improved equipment for dairy and similar service, which is simple and I as fire hazard and explosion, and should preferably be readily operable, compact and durable in construction, conveniently accessible for thorough cleaning, and convertible from one type of service into another at the will of the operator. Such apparatus should also be quickly and readily transferable from place to place thereby making it desirable to have the heating, washing and sterilizing devices embodied in a single simple unit. So far as known to me, none of the prior dairy equipment of this general type, has embodied all of these relatively desirable features in a single unitary structure which was conveniently convertible from one use to another.

My present invention therefore more specifically contemplates provision of an improved unit which meets all of the above mentioned specific requirements, as well as many others, and which is readily operable by a novice to produce quick and effective results.

Other more specific objects of my present invention are as follows:

To providea simple unitary structure for effecting either mere heating of liquid, or washing and rinsing of utensils, or steam sterilization of utensils and the like.

To provide an improved liquid heating device which can be readily, quickly and safely converted into a steam generator.

To provide an extremely safe and sanitary combined water heater and steam generator, which is devoid of obnoxious odors and fumes, and which is silent and automatic in operation.

To provide a portable liquid heater wherefrom either hot water or steam may be conveniently dispensed for diverse uses, without endangering the operator.

To provide a new and useful steam generator which is extremely simple and highly efficient,

and wherein excess pressure is automatically dispersed into the water supply.

To provide an improved combined heater and tank assemblage wherein successive charges of heated liquid may be readily delivered into the tank, or in which the heating unit may be conveniently removed from the tank.

To provide an improved water heater whichis safe and economical in operation, and which can be manufactured and sold at moderate cost.

To provide a simple and compact convertible washer and sterilizer for dairy utensils or the like, which can be quickly converted from one to the other and vice versa, and in which the liquid and steam may be conveniently dispensed for either use.

These and other specific objects and advantages will be apparent from the following more detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting my present invention, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing equipment built in accordance with the improvement, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of my improved electric water heater having portions thereof broken away;

Fig. 2 is a reduced perspective view of the combined heater and hot water storage or receiving tank, showing the heater detachably suspended from the end of the tank as when in normal use;

Fig. 3 is a similar perspective view of the combined unit, illustrating the mode of delivering heated liquid from the heater into the tank;

1 Fig. 4 is another somewhat similar perspective view of the unit with the heater converted into a steam generator, and an inverted milk can applied to the steam generator, a portion'of the assemblage being. broken away;

Fig. 5 is still another similar perspective view having the tank converted into a steam receiving enclosed receptacle, and likewise having a portion thereof broken away;v

Fig. 6 is an enlarged central vertical section through the steam generator casing;

Fig. '7 is a transverse horizontal section through the steam generator casing of Fig. 6, taken along the line l-'|; s

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the improved hinge for swingably and detachably suspending the heater from the tank;

,Fig. 9 is an enlarged top view of one specific type of support for inverted milk cans or pails disposed over the steam generator; and

Fig. '10 is a central vertical section through the utensil support of Fig. 9, taken along the line II0.

While I have shown and described my invention as being specifically embodied in a combined heating and sterilizing unit especially applicable to advantage in the dairy industry, it is not the intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope, since the improved apparatus is obviously more generally applicable for other uses and industries.

Referring to the drawings, my improved heating appliance comprises in general a substantially cylindrical liquid receptacle I4 having insulated side walls I5 and a similarly insulated readily removable closure cover I6 coacting with the side walls; a group of three electrically energized heating elements I! extending upwardly from the bottom I8 and into the receptacle I4; a combined switch and thermostatic cut-out I9 carried by the receptacle bottom. I8 and having an indicator lamp associated therewith; and a drain faucet 2I also associated with the receptacle bottom I8 so as to effect withdrawal of liquid from the receptacle I4. This batch heating appliance may be supported either on legs 22 as shown in Fig. 1, directly from the floor, or it may be swingably and detachably suspended from an end wall of a liquid basin or container 23, by means of supporting bars 24 having hooked upper ends 25 coacting with hinge pivots 26 secured to the tank or container 23, see Fig. 8. The container 23 may be portably mounted on legs 21 of which the legs adjacent to the heating unit are preferably bent outwardly thereunder so as to improve the stability, and the liquid basin is also provided with a drain plug 28 and with a removable enclosing cover 29 such as shown in Fig. 5 for converting the container 23 into a steam cabinet.

While the heating appliance as thus far described, is primarily adapted to heat water or other liquid confined within the receptacle I4,

this appliance may be readily and quickly converted into a steam generator as shown in Figs.

4 and 5, "by merely enclosing the heating elethe generator casing is in working position the outer wall 3| which terminates above the bottom- I8, traps a jacket of insulating air within the space between the outer and inner walls.

The removable enclosing cover 29 for converting the container-23 into a steam cabinet, may be provided with a nipple 34 as shown in Fig. 5, which maybe connected to the upper end of the steam generator pipe 33 by means of a hose 35 so as to conduct the steam into the enclosed pail or can support comprises a crossed wire container 23.

frame 3'I-adapted to rest directly upon the upper end of the heater walls I5 and having depending outer end'portions 38 for centralizing the frame; and a utensil supporting substantially square plate 39 secured to the frame 31 and having a central opening 40 therein through which the pipe 33 may be extended. When the cans 35 or other receptacles are disposed on the plate 39 in inverted position, this plate substantially seals the inverted receptacles and thus confines the steam, but the central opening 40 provides for ample drainage.

The improved heating appliance may either be used independently of the container 23, as illustrated in Fig. l, or suspended from the container 23 as shown in Fig. 2, to heat successive batches of water or other liquid delivered into the receptacle l4 when the cover I6 is removed, by merely turning on the electric current. The heating element I'I projecting upwardly into the body of liquid, will then quickly heat the charge, and after heating has been effected, the faucet 2| may be utilized to draw the successive heated charges into a pail or other container standing on the floor. If the container 23 is to be provided with hot water, the successive charges of liquid heated in the receptacle I4 may be readily delivered into the container 23 in the manner shown in Fig. 3, by merely removing the cover I6 and swinging the bracket 24 about the pivots 26 so that the heated liquid will pour into the Several successive charges of heated liquid may thus be transferred from the receptacle I4 to the container 23, and cans, pails, or other utensils may thereafter be washed and rinsed in the container 23 from which the dirty liquid may be withdrawn upon removal of the drainage plug 28.

If it becomes desirable to convert the heating unit into a steam generator, this may be quickly and conveniently done by merely placing one of the cup shaped casings 30 over the heating elements, I1 while the liquid level in the receptacle I4 is somewhat beneath the top of the elements I1. Some of the liquid within the receptacle I4 and which is initially confined within the inner casing 32, will be quickly converted into steam which will be delivered from the upper pipe 33, and other liquid will thereafter seep into the inner casing from beneath so as to constantly maintain a sup-ply of liquid within the steam generating chamber. The air confined in the space between the inner casing 32 and the outer casing 3| by the latter, provides an insulating jacket-which confines the heat within the steam chamber. erated, and the supply of fresh water will be automatically admitted from the receptacle I4. In case the pressure within the casing 30 becomes excessive, this pressure will elevate the steam generator casing and will thus relieve the pressure, so that there is no'danger of explosion due to excess steam pressure. of the steam generator is obviously entirely automatic and if steam generation is no longer desired, the casing 30 may be lifted bodily from within the receptacle I4.

The steam generated within the casing 30 and delivered from the pipe 33, may be utilized either to sterilize the interior of receptacles such as cans 36, disposed in inverted position above the heating receptacle I4, as in. Fig. 4, or the steam may be delivered through the hose 35 and nipple 34 into the steam cabinet formed by applying the cover 23 to the container 23. By placing Steam will thus be constantly gen- The functioning smaller utensils such as can covers and the like within the steam chest thus provided, these may also be sterilized by the application of steam.

If neither of these types of uses of the'apparatus are to be resorted to, the steam may be conducted from the pipe 33 to any desired place of utilization, thus providing an extremely flexible outfit which is adapted to be used'for diverse pur-- poses.

If the type of receptacle support for the milk cans 36 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is not suitable, a

receptacle support such as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 may be utilized to advantage. This support can be readily applied to the upper ends of the receptacle walls l5 upon removal of the cover l6, whereupon the milk cans 35 or other utensils may be supported directly upon the drainage plate 39.

From the foregoing description it must be apparent that the present invention provides improved dairy equipment which is extremely simple, compact and durable in construction, and

which is highly flexible and efficient in operation. The improved heating unit may be utilized either for the purpose of merely-heating water to any desired temperature, or for the purpose of generating steam, and in either case the apparatus will function safely and effectively. There is no danger of fire or explosion, and the withdrawal of the hot water from the heater may be effected either through the faucet or by tilting the entire heating unit to deliver the charge through the upper end thereof. The conversion of the apparatus from the water heater'into a steam generator may obviously be quickly and safely effected, and the generated steam may be utilized for various purposes either in conjunction with the steam cabinet, or by direct application thereof to the inverted receptacles. The improved apparatus has proven highly efiective' in actual commercial use, andis obviously especially adapted for use in the dairy industry. a

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use herein shown and described, for various modiflcations' within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In combination, a normally open liquid basin, a liquid.- heating unit suspended from said basin, means for effecting displacement of said 'unit to eifect transfer of heated liquid from-said heating unit'to said basin, means for enclosing said basin, and means for eifecting delivery of steam from said heating unit into said basin whileenclosed.

2. In combination, a normally "open liquid basin, a liquid heater movably' suspended from said basin, means for effecting tilting movement of said heaterto transfer successive batches of heated liquid from-said heater to said basin, means for converting. said heater into a steam. generator, and means for delivering steam from said generator into said basin.

3. In combination, a normally open liquid basin, a liquid heater swingably and detachably sus-' pended. from said basin, means for eifectinb.

swinging movement of said heatersto transfer successive batches ofheated liquid from said heater to said basin, means for. converting said 7. heater into a steam generator, and means for delivering s team from said generator against utensils resting within said basin.

4. In combination, a normally open liquid basin, a liquid heater movably suspended from said basin, means for effecting tilting of said heater to transfer successive batches of heated liquid from said heater to said basin, means for converting said heater into a steam generator, means for enclosing said basin and for'removing the liquid therefrom, and means for delivering steam from said generator into said basin while enclosed.

5. In combination, a liquid basin, a liquid heater tiltably suspended from a wall of said basin, said heater being tiltable to deliver heated liquid to said basin, an enclosing cover for said basin, means for converting said liquid heater into a steam generator, and means for delivering steam from said heater to said basin.

6. In combination, a liquid receiving basin, a liquid receptacle having a heating element therei'n,'means for tiltably suspending said receptacle from said basin whereby said receptacle may be tilted to deliver liquid therefrom to said basin, a casing cooperable with said element to produce steam, and means for conducting steam from said casing to said basin.

'1. In combination, a liquid receiving basin, 9. liquid receptacle having a heatingelement there in, means for detachably and swingably suspending said receptacle from a wall of said basin ceptacle having a heating element therein, said receptacle being mounted so that tilting thereof will deliver liquid to said basin, a casing cooper- 1 able with said element to generate steam, and

means for conducting steam from said casing to said basin.

9. In combination, a liquid basin, a liquid receptacle having a fixed heating element therein,

said receptacle being tiltably mounted to deliver liquid to said basin, an inverted cup shaped casing cooperable with said element to generate steam, and means for conducting steam from said casing to said basin.

10. In combination, a liquid basin having a removable closure, a liquid receptacle having a heating element therein, said receptacle being tiltably mounted to deliver liquid to said basin when said closure is removed, a casing cooperable with said element to generate steam, and means for conducting steam from said casing through said closure to said basin.

11. In combination, a liquid basin, a removable closure, a liquid receptacle having a heating ele-- ment therein, said receptacle being tiltable to deliver liquid to said basin when said closure is removed, an inverted cup shaped casing cooperable with said element to produce steam from liquid in said receptacle, and means for conducting steam from thetop of said casing through said closure to said basin monnnna'r snun'rs. 

